The Arbiter Vol. 36 Issue 3 9.21.23

“MY MOTIVATION

TO BRING A SMILE AND A LAUGH

THE VIEWER. IT IS MY WAY OF SHINING LIGHT IN THE WORLD.”

- MISHELL SWARTWOUT,

BASED ARTIST

Editor-In-Chief

Hanalei Potempa editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Online Editor

Adam Bridges onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

News Editor Kiryn Willett news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

News Reporter Kaylie Hilliker news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

News Reporter

Joel Hroma news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Culture Editor Emily Gordon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Culture Reporter

Olivia Brandon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sports & Rec Editor

Marlei Soderquist sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sports & Rec Reporter

Alec Simeone sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Opinion Editor

Ella Van Leuven opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Copy Editor

Kelly Ann Asker copy@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Social Media Coordinator

Naomi Priddy

Digital Content Manager

Taya Thornton digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Digital Content Producer

Niamh Brennan

Graphic Design Manager

Sasha White design@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Graphic Designer

Kelsey Mason

Illustrator

Sydney Smith

Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free. Additional copies can be purchased for $1 a piece at The Arbiter offices.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

ON THE COVER:

Boise hosts their 69th annual "Art in the Park" event, featuring talented artists from Idaho and others from across the U.S. The event is cherished by all art lovers, and artists nationwide come out to share their work with the Boise community.

HOW TO REACH US:

CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302

PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites

MISSION:

As a student-run organization, we produce accurate and hyper-local information through non-partisan and socially responsible media.

MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W University Dr. Boise, ID 83725-1340

BSU football player #8 Markel Reed lights up the game.

Photo by Taya Thornton

WHERE'S BUSTER?

Students wages on campus fall short of living wage

Boise State student employees share their perspective on campus student job wages

Kiryn Willett & Kaylie Hilliker | News Editor & News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise State University employs roughly 2,146 students, according to Public Records Coordinator Office of the General Counsel, Robert Aldelson. As colleges become increasingly expensive, and the cost of living continues to rise, the question is: are student wages keeping up?

Kaitlyn Conklin, a current sophomore majoring in integrated media, is one of these on campus student workers. Conklin works around 20-25 hours a week between two jobs at Boise State.

Conklin works at the Boise State Bronco Shop as a sales associate and works concessions at the Extra Mile arena. Conklin earns $14 an hour plus tips at concessions, and earns $11.50 an hour at the Bronco Shop. Conklin, like many others, chose on campus jobs because they better accommodate student needs.

“I don’t have a car this year, nor did I have one last year. So I just like the convenience of it (on campus jobs) and how nice they are when it comes to scheduling,” Conklin said. “I get almost all of the time off that I request or that I need for both my classes and other activities that I have on campus.”

For Conklin, who does not have to pay rent, the wages are manageable, but she believes that they are lower than wages for similar jobs off campus.

“I definitely think on campus wages could be better … I think for the people who have to pay rent, or either cover some of their tuition or stuff like that, it’s definitely hard to save money with those wages, because they are lower than normal wages that you would get with off campus jobs,” Conklin said. “I don’t have to pay for my rent or anything like that. But I definitely know that if I did, I would

be struggling a little bit more, even with working both of those jobs.”

Emily Seats, a senior marketing major and fellow Bronco Shop sales associate, is only able to cover necessities with her on campus job, where she earns $11.50. Seats works at an unpaid internship in addition to working on campus. According to Seats, she is unable to save money and pay for basic necessities at the same time.

“I don’t believe this is a fair [or] livable wage. I believe this because when the paycheck comes in every other week it feels like … most of what I am being paid is being used for groceries or other shopping necessities,” Seats said. “There are always scenarios in which I end up not saving the remainder of the paycheck and then must rely on the next paycheck. It can be hard at times doing this because [I] need to account for different things as well as figuring out what [I] may have left from that paycheck.”

At the On-Campus and Part-Time job fair in the quad on Aug. 23, several stands offered various pay ranges for starting positions. ExtraMile Arena’s pay is set depending on the job, starting at $15 an hour for daily work, and during an event pay jumps to $18. Boise Dining’s part-time retail jobs like Chick-Fil-A or Subway start at $15. SUB employees for the operations and game center are paid $11 an hour, while managers are at $13.50.

Katie Doughtery, is sophomore criminal justice major and a Bronco Shop sales associate, originally from California. For her, the difference in pay between the two states was an adjustment.

“My job back there was like $16 an hour so compared to that it’s definitely a difference. I think the pay could be a little bit better because like when you think about

it, like you’re doing two hours of work for like 20 bucks,” Doughtery said. “I know compared to back home, I’m losing like 10 bucks I could be making like if I was in California.”

Idaho ranks 42nd among the United States for annual average income, and is one of the 20 U.S. states that have not adopted a minimum wage higher than $7.25 an hour. Current living wage estimates put a living wage for Boise, Idaho at a minimum of $16.75 an hour for a single adult working full time,while $7.25 per hour is only 72 cents above poverty wages.

However, many businesses hire above the minimum wage in Idaho. Recent reports from the Idaho Department of Labor 2023 statistics said that on average, Idaho workers were compensated $24.69 per hour. The BVEP claims in 2022 the average was $23.77. In contrast, the lowest wage was $8.84.

In an email interview with The Arbiter,

City of Boise labor economist Samuel Wolkenhaur shared some insight on increased wages in Idaho.

“Wages in Idaho have been rising steadily year after year, even though the federal minimum wage hasn’t been changed since 2009, and these wage increases are being driven by competition in the labor market. So we would say that wages in Idaho are set by the market, not by the state,” Wolkenhaur wrote.

Seats believes that student wages should more closely resemble the off-campus wages.

“I think that wages on campus should be higher because a lot of people that work on campus are also working a second job so that they can have a living,” Seats said. “By giving higher wages on campus it can allow for students to stay longer and also allows for certain places on campus to hire more people because of the pay that they are offering.”

Illustration of a broken and empty piggy bank. Illustration by Sydney Smith

The campus food pantry experiences a boost in visitors

High needs means high demand at the campus food pantry

Kaylie Hilliker | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

“Every student. Every Bronco. A Full Plate,” is the motto of the campus food pantry, a service located in the Campus School building, Room 103. Any student can access the pantry within open hours found on the food pantry website. With just a scan of their bronco ID card, students are able to shop around.

The campus food pantry assists students with resources from canned goods, to fresh vegetables, hygiene products and more. All these free products and goods have attracted a

steady wave of students for the past several years, but recently more students have come to the pantry.

“So right now we’re serving around 5,000 student visits a month,” Emily Hester, the business operations coordinator of the campus food pantry said.. “So that’s approximately 1,000 plus visits a week. And imagining each of those visits is like taking a grocery bag full of food, that’s a lot of food we are going through.”

Skylar Downs (he/him), a food pantry specialist and student employee, attributed the increase of visitors to renewed awareness that the pantry

exists. Downs is a senior majoring in psychology and has been working at the panty since 2020. His initial interest to help people drew him to the pantry job.

“I think we’ve been seeing a lot more freshmen and sophomores lately because we’ve been included on the campus tours,” Downs said. “I’ve heard a lot of upper division standing students say ‘Oh! I didn’t even know about this and I’m graduating this semester.’”

The campus food pantry serves 17% of the campus population according to Hester, but that statistic is likely to rise.

“Students are doing projects on the pantry or interviews for their courses and telling their friends,” Hester said. “We were included in some of some professors’ syllabi … So really that word of mouth and referral process across campus I think is what opened up the resource to so many students, which is just a really cool thing to see since we’ve grown so much in this past year.”

With high need comes high demand. The campus food pantry has a network of generous donors, including Albertsons who on Sept. 9 donated $20,000 during the Boise State football game, and continues to support the pantry each semester.

Partnerships with the Idaho Food Bank, Fred Meyer’s, Jacksons, Idaho Botanical Garden’s, a nonprofit called City of Good, parts of student fee allocations and private donors all put food on the shelves for students. The benevolence of the community feeds into the success of the campus food pantry, but there are concerns over the general supply.

“I think what we’re really running into right now is having such high numbers of students visiting, which

is like such an awesome thing, but at the same time, puts a lot of attention and a lot of stress on our team,” Hester said.

Callie, a junior studying elementary education usually visits the pantry on Mondays when new shipments come in. She is a regular at the pantry.

“I think if everyone knew about the food pantry, there would need to be more food donated,” Callie said.“It can kinda be contentious in here when it’s super busy, people trying to grab stuff.”

Lucas, a freshman switching over to a major in biology, and Eric,a sophomore in the nursing program both came to the pantry together the day The Arbiter interviewed students during operating hours in the pantry. Both students emphasized the importance of the pantry as a resource and expressed appreciation for it.

Eric was giving Lucas a tour of the pantry as a first-time visitor. Eric stated not many students know about the food pantry.

“I don’t think it’s as widespread as it should be,” Eric said. “I remember there was one time I got somebody to come here, and they started coming once a week too and it actually helped them.”

The campus food pantry participated in the Real College Survey held by the Hope Center. Between 20% and 30% of students experience food insecurity across the nation. Since the pantry only serves 17% of the campus community, Hester hopes to “bridge the gap”.

“We just want to make sure that we’re providing the most accessible space, the safest place, and really just offering what we can to whoever needs it,” Hester said.

Photo of the food pantry shelves.

Photo by Niamh Brennan

Boise State Student spearheads crisis fundraiser for the

Justin Kawamura carries the power of “the aloha spirit” despite tragedy

Kaylie Hilliker | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Fires ravaged the Valley Isle of Maui, Hawaii from Aug. 8 until Aug. 27, burning more than 2,170 acres, 2,200 buildings and resulting in 850 people missing and 114 dead.

The four wildfires that triggered such destruction include the Olinda fire, Kula fire, Pulehu fire and Lahaina fire.

Justin Kawamura, a current senior set to graduate this spring and finish his degree in civil engineering, grew up in a town called Makawao in a region called Upcountry on Maui. In an interview with The Arbiter he reminisced childhood memories about Lahaina.

“I’ve lived maybe an hour and half from a town that got burned down, and I have so many memories from that town,” Kawamura said. “Whether I was playing ukulele under the banyan tree that everyone knows of, or just going to certain shops and hanging out.”

Kawamura, alongside ASBSU’s president Cheyon Sheen and communications officer Lillie Young, are spearheading a fundraising project to aid the Maui community.

Sheen and Young have supported Kawamura in brainstorming ways to acquire funds and donations to gather essential items for care packages to send to Maui.

“ASBSU’s sole purpose is to advocate for students and help support them…I hope that this fundraiser can help spread awareness for Justin’s experience,” Sheen said.

So far the project has been a week and a half in development. Kawamura spoke about his ideas, such as a Boise-wide donation fund through Vemo and flier handouts. His brother-in-law’s parents have even set up an Amazon registry for parents and children who need supplies like computers and books.

The official fundraiser kickoff will begin the week of Sept. 25, with tabling in the quad from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. on Sept. 21, Sept. 22 and Sept. 23.

Maui

community

Kawamura, Young and Sheen’s goal is to raise $3,000 through the fundraiser titled, “Broncos for Maui”.

“We are trying to find any way possible to see how we can reach out to BSU students and the faculty around campus as well, anyone in Boise that is willing to donate anything,” Kawamura said.

Kawarmura’s goal is to help restore the historic land of Lahaina to how the locals know it. In 1802, Lahaina became the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom during King Kamehameha’s reign. For over 50 years, the town was the center of the Hawaiian government and multiple monarchy burial

sites, a monument of Hawaiian culture. Now, it lies gutted.

“You can feel the presence of the history and culture, it’s a super significant place to a lot of us,” Kawarmura said.

Hawaii Gov. John Green addressed tensions between developers and locals in a live press conference recording on the wildfire response. Purchase offers for land have disturbed the locals about the future of their homes and their town as a whole.

“People are worried about the land…my intention from start to finish is to make sure that no one is victimized from a land grab,” Green said.

Kawamura plans to use his degree for the

good of his island and family. His goal is to get a construction job after graduation.

“I’m going back home soon as possible to help the Maui community in any way possible whether that’s working for a construction company there, or working to help get engineering designs out,”Kawamura said.

Even though Kawamura studies 2,785 miles from home, he carries “the aloha spirit” with him. Kawamura is hoping to garner support from the Boise State community and encourages those to reach out and support wherever they can.

Donations can be made through Venmo @Broncos4Maui. Every dollar counts.

Photo of the debris after fires in Maui

Photo courtesy of CNN

A burning gem state: Boise is the second-fastest warming city in the U.S.

An environmental briefing on Idaho’s fire season and update on climate change

Kaylie Hiliker | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

It is no secret that climate change induced by the greenhouse effect is shifting the environmental state of our city and world. 2023 is on its way to being named the hottest summer on record globally. Boise is the second-fastest warming city in the United States and locals can feel it, literally.

Heatwaves last summer reached temperatures up to 106 degrees fahrenheit in the Treasure Valley area. This summer the same range of temperatures in the 100’s were reached, and the days of blistering sunshine over the City of Trees are not over yet, even in September. As Idaho’s summers heat up, this translates into changing behaviors and characteristics of wildfires.

Mojtaba Sadegh, an associate professor of civil engineering and researcher on

extreme weather events, explained the phenomenon.

“It’s important to note that it’s not that we haven’t had extreme fire behavior historically, the problem is the frequency of what we see today. It’s happening every year, it’s happening everywhere,” Sadegh said.

11 major wildfires have occurred this summer, most burning in National forests like Clearwater National Forest, Panhandle National Forest, Payette National Forest and Boise National Forest. These fires — and more — cleared 65,034 acres of land. California has lost the most with 145,185 acres, while Oregon follows closely with 104,823 acres .

On Sept. 13, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation sent out a news

release to inform the public of a prescribed burning that will take place in Ponderosa State Park in McCall.

“The goal of this burn project is to restore the park’s natural Ponderosa Pine stand and to ultimately reduce the chance of a large-scale, uncontrolled fire by reducing the fuel load,” public information specialist, Chelsea Chambers wrote.

Other contributing factors to the severity of burns include invasive species such as cheatgrass.

Dr. Jenn Pierce, associate professor in the department of geosciences, explained this issue in detail.

“Cheat grass was actually introduced accidentally in the 1800s. It was used as a packing material on trains, and it’s an invasive grass,” Pierce said. “So it’s from Asia,

this grass, and now fast forward to now it has spread throughout the western U.S. all over Idaho, and that cheatgrass provides a blanket of really dry fuel.”

Dry conditions put forests in the red zone of risk, and people are culprit to much of the causation of the burning outbreaks — as much as lightning is to blame. 84% of widespread wildfires are caused by humans in the United States. The Hayden, Idaho fire was human-caused, as well as over 100 fires on regions owned and managed by the Idaho Department of Land.

“There is not a kind of one size fits all to our understanding of fire,” Pierce said.

Pierce discussed how education is key to helping the public understand how to prevent the fires they are in control of preventing. She mentioned informing people about the dangers of driving over dry grass, setting off fireworks in neighborhoods, and Sadegh mentioned neglecting to flood fire pits as a problem as well.

Compared to past seasons in Idaho, the fire count this summer is significantly smaller than other years. Still, episodic events like this season’s wildfires remind the public of the reality the gem state faces.

Katharine Heyhoe, a atmospheric scientist, author, and speaker on climate change offered hope during a webinar hosted by St. Luke’s on Sept. 13. Her webinar was titled, “Saving Us”, and she ended her speech with a call to action.

Her goal and aim is to encourage audiences about the importance of having relevant conversations about climate change in their towns, schools, communities and cities.

Although the effect of a warming planet manifests itself in the smoke in the air and the charred national forests in Idaho, not all is lost.

“We were the people who changed the world before and we are the ones who can change it again,” Heyhoe said. “And when we realize that my only question is, what are we waiting for?”

67,838.2 acres burned across Idaho

Graphic by Sasha White

OPINION

Gua sha or going to therapy: how to actually practice self-care

Ella Van

#SelfCare has 52.3 billion views on TikTok and 76 million posts on Instagram, as of Sept.1, 2023. As a major topic of discussion on social media, as well as in the mental health field, it is critical that people wanting to practice self-care genuinely understand what the term means and how to actually apply it to their lives.

Since the term “self-care” was coined in the 1950s, the concept has taken on a different meaning from its original definition. According to the National Library of Medicine, the term was originally used by mental health professionals and various social movements, referring to one’s personal participation in their own wellness.

As time has passed, the concept of self-care has veered away from its true meaning — taking real action to improve one’s mental and physical health — and in many peoples’ minds has become synonymous with buying various products that claim to better the consumer.

“Treat yourself” is a common phrase in the self-care industry, and while there is certainly a benefit to putting yourself first, this phrase is often in reference to spending money excessively in an effort to feel better.

External “wellness” has become the priority for many, and many companies claim to sell this wellness in an aesthetically packaged product. It’s easy to tell yourself that buying this gua sha tool or that red light therapy mask will make you feel better, and spending money on new products is often significantly less work than addressing the real underlying issues that lead to unhappiness and low self-esteem.

When there are so many underlying

mental health problems in society today, a face mask or a bath bomb can only do so much. While buying and using these products can be fun and instantly gratifying, to be truly effective, self-care must be rooted in taking actual action toward long-term health and well-being.

The Oxford Dictionary defines self-care as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health”. While this may seem vague or even daunting, there are actions every person can take to work to truly practice self-care and work toward their well-being.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), actual self-care practices include getting regular exercise, nourishing the body with food, prioritizing sleep, connecting with others and working towards a more positive mindset.

The NIMH goes on to tell readers that “self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy”. Unlike taking a bubble bath or getting your nails done — which might help you feel better in the moment — doing the hard work of actual selfcare has long-term, incredibly beneficial effects.

For most people, it is far less daunting to go shop at Lush or Amazon for products they are told will make them happier than to truly address their issues. In a consumer-oriented culture, people are encouraged to take the “easy way out” by buying products they truly don’t need and that are often a waste of money and time.

The Global Self-Care Federation tells readers that practicing self-care can include seeking professional help, correctly taking prescribed medications and self-monitoring. While getting professional help or taking medications can

absolutely be a part of true self-care, these methods aren’t accessible or helpful to everyone, and they aren’t the only ways to genuinely take care of yourself.

Getting higher-quality sleep, practicing gratitude, seeking out valuable relationships and creating other healthy habits are other accessible first steps that people can take to truly practice self-care, rather than buying products that promise happiness

and wellness.

The concept of self-care shouldn’t be rooted in spending money. Instead, to truly become comfortable with themselves and promote their well-being, people need to look inward and address the deeper issues that can’t be solved with a Sunday reset or a 12-step skincare routine.

Illustration of a woman taking a bubble bath.

Illustration by Sydney Smith

In a culture based on consumerism, it can be difficult to know how to truly take care of yourself

Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor

Since the early 2000s, podcasting has become steadily more and more popular, with genres ranging from comedy, to true crime and relationship advice.

As an avid podcast listener, these are three staple recommendations for those who might be new to listening to podcasts or are simply looking to branch out with their listening experience.

Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain

Emma Chamberlain is arguably one of the most influential faces of Gen-Z. The internet watched her transform from her early YouTube days as a “VSCO girl” icon, into a businesswoman, ambassador for Louis Vuitton, model and podcaster.

Initially known for traits like her passion for iced coffee and her distinct video editing style, Emma Chamberlain has developed a cult following over the years, becoming a fashion icon and something of a role model for her followers.

Chamberlain began her podcast in 2019, originally calling it “Stupid Genius” and eventually rebranding it to “Anything Goes” in 2020. The topics she discusses are the inspiration for the podcast’s name — anything goes.

Chamberlain discusses relevant cultural events and topics, conducts interviews and offers advice to her listeners, all while maintaining the sense of humor and deep realness that made her so popular when she first started making content.

One of my favorite episodes of “Anything Goes” is “when toxic becomes trendy”, an episode in which Chamberlain analyzes how normalized and even encouraged toxic behavior has become in society today.

Smoke Sesh - Hannah Marlene

Lovingly referred to by some as their “internet big sister”, Hannah Marlene is exactly that for her podcast listeners. The 22-year-old creative entrepreneur introduces herself as “your internet best

friend” in her Spotify description, setting the tone for her hilarious and incredibly relatable content that often makes you feel like you’re on a phone call with a close friend instead of listening to a podcast.

Marlene began the “Smoke Sesh” podcast in 2021, and both her platform and reach have grown immensely in the years following. Marlene offers a brutally honest – and incredibly refreshing – perspective on girlhood, relationships, astrology, pursuing your dreams and everything in between.

Listeners are invited to both send in their own stories and ask for advice from their “internet big sister”. Marlene has created an inclusive community that allows for and encourages vulnerability, and she offers her advice and opinions on the world in a hilarious, incredibly eloquent manner.

One of my favorite episodes of “Smoke Sesh” is “feral girl summer, sensitive sweetheart & living in delusion”. In this episode, Marlene dives into the importance of embracing sensitivity, something many people are told is a bad quality, as well as talking about how to embrace change.

Very Really Good - Kurtis Conner

Since finding his beginnings of fame on Vine and through stand-up comedy, Kurtis Conner has become a staple name in internet comedy and commentary. Once he was no longer restricted by the six-second video limit on Vine, Conner became known for his commentary videos and criticism of popular culture.

Conner began the “Very Really Good” podcast in 2018, uploading weekly about current events and his personal experiences with his uniquely humorous take on things. Conner’s podcast is just the right balance of being both informative and amusing, and the guests he brings on – such as Cody Ko, Danny Gonzalez and Drew Gooden – all have a similarly

hilarious energy that balances well with the “Very Really Good” atmosphere.

For long-term subscribers to his YouTube channel, the “Very Really Good” podcast is a particularly good find, giving fans the same content they love in a longer, unscripted format.

My all-time favorite episode of “Very

Really Good” is “On Stage With Wallows”, a shorter episode in which Conner describes his experience being an “honorary fourth member” of Wallows, the indie rock band.

Listen on Apple Music or Spotify!

Three podcasters you should be listening to “Anything Goes”, “Smoke Sesh” & “Very Really Good” are three outstanding podcasts from today’s internet personalities.

Illustration of a person participating in a podcast. Illustration by Sydney Smith

Boise showcases talented artists at 69th annual “Art in the Park”

Boise’s vibrant art scene attracts artists from across the country in support of the arts

EMILY GORDON | CULTURE EDITOR | CULTURE@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

PHOTOS BY HANALEI POTEMPA | GRAPHICS & ILLUSTRATIONS BY SASHA WHITE AND SYDNEY SMITH

Art is an extremely powerful force of human expression, ranging from doodles on study sheets to massive oil based portraits. Unbeknownst to most, Boise harbors a vibrant art scene that showcases the work of artists all over the world.

Boise’s annual “Art in the Park” occurs the weekend after Labor Day every year, displaying hundreds of local and national artists along with their work. This most recent “Art in the Park” was the 69th anniversary, with hundreds of artists and even more locals coming to take part in the celebration.

Art in the Park for 69 years,” Fales said. “We celebrate the artists in Art in the Park and bring people together to enjoy a beautiful weekend while supporting the artists, food vendors and the Boise Art Museum.”

Fales also shared that this year, there were 240 artists in attendance. Artists traveled from all over the U.S. to be a part of Boise’s art scene, though some traveled merely minutes as Boise itself is a hub for artistry and is home to many talented artists.

Nearly every booth is accompanied by the artists themselves, all more than willing to speak about their work and share it with all who enter. Artists sat proudly among their art and expressed joy in sharing their hard work.

of a tee-shirt. I thought I could make these pictures bigger and hang them on the wall so others could enjoy these little masterpieces. And it has evolved from there.”

A yearly celebration specifically designed to gather artists and provide a space in which their artistry and hard work can be seen and appreciated is an exciting opportunity for all artists and for those who enjoy taking part in local art.

of the medium,” Duncan said. “As soon as I realized I could draw and paint, there was nothing else I wanted to do.”

Art is such an extremely fascinating expression, a physical creation in which one can pour themselves onto a canvas and know that it was wholeheartedly created through patience and passion.

Art allows both viewers and creators to feel something unique. Hardwork and utter determination finally presenting itself as a captivating piece of art is something beyond unique to humans.

“Boise Art Museum has been building community through the arts with Art in the Park for 69 years.

We celebrate the artists in Art in the Park and bring people together to enjoy a beautiful weekend while supporting the artists, food vendors and the Boise Art Museum.” -

Artists near and far Idaho Native, Karla Herre, shared her experience with Art in the Park and her journey that led to creating her alpaca felt crafts.

“I trained in oils but my preferred medium is watercolor as it comes naturally to me. I love the way color floats over the paper and the softness of the medium.As soon as I realized I could draw and paint, there was nothing else I wanted to do.”

Boise creates a full and joyous art scene to those who enter, either as an artist or a patron of the arts. With art constantly being exhibited around Boise, locals are surrounded by the handiwork and creativity of neighbors and may not even be aware of it.

- Perri Duncan, a watercolor artist originally from Scotland

“I have clients who return to see me there (Art in the Park),” Duncan said. “I am happy that my work brings joy to so many people.”

As art proves itself to be a widely confusing and subjective expression, it can also be simple.

executive

director

Melanie Fales,

of the Boise Art Museum

Boise’s Art in the Park Melanie Fales, executive director of the Boise Art Museum, shared the legacy of Art in the Park and what exactly is the driving force behind this event.

“Boise Art Museum has been building community through the arts with

Originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, Karla Herre and her husband moved to Texas. However, upon hearing about “Art in the Park” by a family member, the Herre’s packed up their fifth wheel RV and drove 1800 miles from Texas to Boise to display the felt creations Karla makes from the fiber harvested from the alpacas they raise on their farm.

“I made a personal commitment to do something with all the fiber they produced,” Herre said. “That’s when I started making felt…I started making bags with it and added embroidery embellishments. I found that some of the embroidered pictures and scenes were just phenomenal and deserved to be seen on more than just the front

Perri Duncan, a watercolor artist originally from Scotland, shared that art has always been a part of her life and has been her main career for 40 years. Duncan specializes in vibrant watercolor landscapes, the true talent and keen artistry can be seen by all through her pieces.

“I trained in oils but my preferred medium is watercolor as it comes naturally to me. I love the way color floats over the paper and the softness

Mishell Swartwout, an Oregon based artist, shared the meaning behind bringing her whimsical animal portraits to Boise.

“Every year I come to Boise Art in the Park from Grants Pass, Oregon. As a nationally recognized show, I heard about it while doing other shows across the USA,” Swartwout said. “The community’s amazing support of this show makes it my favorite.”

Swartouts art depicts wild animals performing human tasks, like a

cartoon bunny brushing their teeth, baby llamas in the bathtub and even a hippo weighing themself. Swartwout’s art is a specific type of “bathroom art” that while silly, is beautifully illustrated and draws the attention of customers.

Pursuing art as a full-time career is a daunting task, though Art in the Park gives a variety of artists a chance to showcase their hard work and interact with local art lovers.

“My motivation is to bring a smile and a laugh to the viewer,” Swartwout said. “It is my way of shining light in the world.”

Art as an expression

Art itself is extremely subjective, it presents itself in many forms and can be created in a multitude of ways. Art simply being an expression of the creator’s sense allows a relief to both those who make it and those who can find bits of themself within another’s creation.

Sometimes art is simply something that brings happiness to a viewer. Silly portraits of animals taking showers or brushing their teeth is just as meaningful as detailed landscapes or locally grown fiber crafts.

All forms of art are not inherently tidy and profound. Art can be chaotic and messy, but in the end it is the product of another and their creativity.

Boise honoring the hard work and tireless efforts of artists is something meaningful, gathering artists and their work at one event for nearly seven decades in an effort to prove art as a simple human necessity.

Human expression can be done in many ways, and these specific artists have devoted their lives to creation and sharing it with all those who are interested.

Boise’s annual “Art in the Park” is a simple tribute to all those who find value in the arts, both in creating art and admiring it.

KARLA HERRE

PERRI DUNCAN

MISHELL SWARTWOUT

CULTURE

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

Boise State’s Swing Dancing Club fosters fast-tracked connections

The club provides a laid back environment to bond over music and dance

Olivia Brandon | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise State is home to a variety of exciting organizations, and the campus Swing Dancing Club is no exception. Meeting every Monday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Bronco Gym room 215, students throw on their dancing shoes and bond over their love of music and dance.

While it may take a couple of weeks for some clubs to break the ice, the sentiment from club members seemed to be that the laid-back environment and the club’s focus — dance — fast tracks bonding between club members.

This could be due to a concept that was discussed in a 2015 Harvard study regarding movement and positive mental effects. “Dance helps reduce stress, increases levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin, and helps develop new neural connections, especially in regions involved in executive function, long-term memory, and spatial recognition”.

While some students dread Monday and the start of another week, co-presidents Haidyn Jones, a senior majoring in integrated media and strategic communications, and Megan Elder, a senior majoring in criminal justice, start their week off on the right foot.

Elder discussed the various locations in Idaho that are known for their swing dancing like 127 Saloon in Meridian and Indian Creek Steakhouse in Caldwell.

“Everyone is kind of best friends,” Elder said. “You just know the entire community basically. It’s like a culture, it’s not just here on campus, you’re also going out forty minutes away and you’re seeing the same people.”

Not only is the club a great way to make friends, but other meaningful connections have been made through

dance as well.

Don’t worry if the extent of your “country side” is glamping in McCall, Elder shared that this club is a space for everyone.

“We have a little bit of everyone, it’s not a specific group,” Elder said. “When people think about country swing dance they think of a bunch of rednecks, but a lot of the people who come don’t even like country music, they just want to go and meet people.”

If you’ve just started at Boise State, this club is great to know about regardless of whether or not you’re a dancer.

“A lot of the freshmen here don’t have cars so to just be able to walk across campus and hang out for a couple hours, it’s really cool,” Elder said. “It’s something people look forward to.”

The club has not only gotten Boise State students invested, as a wide range of attendees from other schools come out to join in on the fun.

“Some people don’t even go to our school,” Elder said. “There are people who teach dance around here, there are people from NNU, there are people from CWI, people from all different schools around here who come to our club which I think is crazy.”

Mia Nurisio, a senior majoring in communications, shared why she personally enjoys this club as club member and officer.

“It has taught me from an outsider’s perspective, that when you step outside of your comfort zone, amazing things can happen,” Nurisio said. “You can create new friendships and new relationships. You can discover that you love something that you didn’t think you would ever love.”

Nurisio went on to discuss why this club is an important addition to the Boise State community..

“One of the most beautiful things about dance, especially partner dance, is that it brings two people together and it can form such a wonderful chemistry that you didn’t know that you had with somebody else,” Nurisio said.

“ It’s an activity that creates such a wonderful connection between two people.” For students who are looking for a way to spice up their Monday nights, the Boise State Country Swing Dance Club is a great way to make new friends and learn some new moves.

The Swing Dancing Club in action.

Photo by Niamh Brennan

Tyler Childers “Rustin’ in the Rain”

Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

regarding gay rights and acceptance, he is still receiving backlash for the video.

“These are human stories, not political stories,” said Childers in an NPR interview regarding the controversy that followed the release of the song.

The rest of Childers’ album has not yet garnered any criticism from listeners.

The second song on the album, “Phone Calls and Emails” takes a more sorrowful tone as it shares the feelings of an unrequited love and lost relationship.

The chorus goes, “I’d check in on you, I considered us friends / Now I’m second-guessin’ / What I thought to be true”.

Childers accurately describes the emotions that arise when a loved one loses feelings. Paired with slow guitar strums and light piano melodies, listeners can reflect on their own experiences and feel the heartbreak within the lyrics.

The song is another love song on the album that discusses relying on a loved one to create a sense of safety and peace in order to prepare for the days ahead.

The song is reliant on mostly instrumental bridges, with a weeping guitar and delicate piano between the chorus that goes “Yesterday is dead and gone / And tomorrow’s out of sight / It’s so sad to be alone / Oh, help me make it through the night”.

Childers’ love songs consistently prove to be wholesome and true, all while keeping the ugly bits that come with devoting love to another.

The last song on Childers new album has been long awaited for. Childers finally provided listeners with a full cover of S.G. Goodman’s “Space and Time”.

Tyler Childers, a Kentucky born singer-songwriter, has garnered the attention of millions with his Americana style folk music. Childers’ lyrics have quickly grown to establish country style music in the mainstream music scene since his breakout studio album “Purgatory” in 2017.

Childers’ top songs include “All your’n”, “Feathered Indians” and “Lady May”, all with more than 235 million streams on Spotify.

His newest album “Rustin’ In The Rain”, released on Aug. 8, has already created controversy and caught the attention of many.

The album consists of six new and original songs, along with one long-awaited cover, providing listeners

with nearly thirty minutes of traditional bluegrass style music and gospel roots.

Childers released “In Your Love” as a single on July 27. The song has loving lyrics and displays unconditional devotion to a loved one.

The song opens with “I will wait for you / ‘Til the sun turns into ashes / And bows down to the moon / I will wait for you”.

Tyler Childers has a true talent in writing love songs, capturing the feelings of undying faith and complex emotions for another.

“In Your Love” faced criticism and controversy after Childers released a music video for the song that depicted two male coal miners in a loving and romantic relationship. Though Childers has consistently expressed his own beliefs

Childers shares his religious roots in the third song in his newest album. “Luke 2:8-10” starts with the biblical verse where an angel from God comes to Earth and says “Fear not, for behold I bring tidings of great joy which shall be unto all”.

The song’s lyrics illustrate the shepherd’s perspective, revealing feelings of great fear and confusion, met with joyful rhythms and anticipatory percussion. The song is an abrupt change from the previous song on the album with its joyous and wild rhythms, though it highlights Childers’ gospel roots.

Gospel has recently made its way into Childers’ music, his last album “Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?” has heavy religious themes and contains traditional gospel style, though listeners do not need religious experience to feel the true joy and love that Childers displays.

The album returns to its soft and gentle ballads with its fourth song “Help Me Make It Through The Night”.

Childers originally covered the song in 2022 for “Healing Appalachia”, a music festival in West Virginia. Until the release of the album, Childers’ cover could only be streamed through YouTube. His original performance was widely loved and admired, and fans begged for a formal recording of the cover.

Childers’ bluesy voice adds a completely raw emotion to the song. He nearly yells the lyrics “I never wanna leave this world / Without sayin’, “I love you” / Without sayin’ what you mean to me”.

The song is performed beautifully by Childers, adding a drawn out bass and intensified percussion that musically emphasizes the heavy and intense emotions depicted in the song – true companionship and devotion to a partner for life

Tyler Childers has proved again and again that folk country has a spot in the music industry in 2023. His talent for incorporating gospel in modern music and creating controversy with love songs is unmatched compared to any other modern folk writers.

Whether or not listeners agree with Childers’ messages, his undying popularity is going nowhere.

Tyler Childers new album “Rustin’ In The Rain” Photo courtesy of Hickman Holler

is unfiltered and complex

With gospel roots and folk soul, Childers creates a tender experience for listeners

CULTURE

Olivia Rodrigo’s latest release “GUTS” lives up to the hype

With angsty lyrics and vulnerable ballads, Rodrigo secures her spot as a Gen-Z popstar

Jackson Nishihira | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

it can have on mental health.

Rodrigo sings, “‘Cause there’s always somethin’ missin’ / There’s always somethin’ in the mirror that I think looks wrong”. It’s lyrics like these that make Rodrigo so loved amongst her fanbase, her willingness to get deep and personal in her lyrics only makes her more relatable.

Rodrigo continues sharing vulnerable lyrics with her song, “lacy”.

The song shows how jealousy and obsession can go hand in hand. Lacy is used to represent someone who Rodrigo is jealous of, and she compares herself until we come to a point where it seems like she is almost romanticizing Lacy. Even though she is jealous of the girl in the song, she seems obsessed with her and wants to be exactly like her.

The outro of the song goes; “And I despise my jealous eyes and how hard they fell for you / Yeah, I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you.”

and the second use is her wanting to get back together with her ex, because she misses him.

The chorus goes; “I wanna make him really jealous, wanna make him feel bad / Oh, I wanna get him back / ‘Cause then again, I really miss him and it makes me real sad.”

Rodrigo accurately illustrates the emotional roller coaster that is dealing with the end of a toxic relationship, depicting the feeling of hatred and wanting to get your revenge as well as the feeling of missing someone.

The theme of growing up and dealing with fame is something that Rodrigo touches on only a few times in“GUTS”.It’s especially emphasized in her song, “making the bed”.

Rodrigo writes about pushing away good friends, losing control of her life and feeling like she acts older than she is. The song is refreshing as it feels like a song Rodrigo wrote for herself.

Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album is something comparable to Lamar Jackson’s sophomore season where he passed for 3,000 yards, ran for 1,000 yards and also won the NFL’s MVP award.

The Grammy award-winning artist released her newest album, “GUTS”on Sept. 8, which has beautifully followed up her 2021 debut album, “SOUR”. “GUTS” leans into punk rock, similar to Avril Lavigne, while also containing softer ballads with more vulnerable lyrics.

Rodrigo stays true to the vulnerability and relatability in her lyrics, which is what made her first release, “SOUR”, so popular with listeners.

The album talks about insecurities, relationship troubles and growing up. Which are things most teens and young adults can relate to, making Rodrigo’s album a great listen, especially for the younger generation.

“pretty isn’t pretty” is one of the most powerful songs on the album. The song talks about the unrealistic expectations the media has set for young women and the negative effects

It’s songs like “lacy” and “pretty isn’t pretty” that make Olivia Rodrigo as great as she is. These songs show us the authentic and vulnerable side to Rodrigo that people often forget, because they often think of her more popular, punk rock songs like “good 4 u” and “bad idea right?” which listeners typically hear more of on the radio..

Rodrigo transitions to her wellloved usage of punk rock in this album with songs like “all-american b**ch”, “bad idea right?” and “love is embarrassing”.

The song “get him back!” is an example of Rodrigo’s vulnerable and emotionally charged lyrics.

Rodrigo uses the phrase “get him back” in two different ways. The first one represents her desire to rekindle their relationship simply for revenge,

“making the bed” allows listeners to hear the struggles that Rodrigo has dealt with since dropping her debut album “SOUR”, dealing with the fame at seventeen years old as well as growing up.

Rodrigo sings; “Another day pretendin’ I’m older than I am / Another perfect moment that doesn’t feel like mine / Another thing I forced to be a sign.”

“GUTS” is an album that lived up to the hype of its predecessor and shows the growth of Olivia Rodrigo not only as an artist, but as a person as well. This album has further cemented her as the Gen-Z rockstar.

Cover art for Olivia Rodrigo’s album GUTS. Photo courtesy of Geffen Records

The Gender Equity Center recently opened the campus closet

Open to anyone by appointment the campus closet provides access to clothing year-round

Olivia Brandon | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Whether you’re a Californian who didn’t expect the ever-changing nature of Idaho weather, want a sustainable option for a greek life dress-coded event or anything in between, the campus closet located in the Gender Equity Center in the Student Union Building is your one-stop shop.

Megan Carter, business operations supervisor for the Gender Equity Center and Student Equity Center, was excited to let Boise State students know about this new on-campus resource.

“We just officially launched on Aug. 23, and it’s a new resource for any student

for whatever reason,” Carter said. “You don’t need to be in any particular need, … whether it is to fit different body sizes, personal styles, gender-affirming clothing, etc.”

For students who are attending classes in the summer, the closet will still be open to serve all your clothing needs.

“When we’re open (the university), it’s open,” Carter said. “The best way for folks to make sure that it’s available is to schedule in advance. We’ll be piloting some open hours for general shopping.”

Making appointments through the Equity Center’s website is the best way to ensure the closet will be ready to

peruse. The closet itself is the product of three organizations that understand the importance of having resources available to students.

“[In] Feb. 2022 the Inclusive Excellence Student Council, Pride Alliance and Transgender Alliance each individually came in with this idea of what it would look like to have a clothing resource on campus,” Carter said. “It turned into a coalition of folks that evaluated what is currently here [and] what students need, and they discovered there was an opportunity for filling in some places.”

Carter discussed the Atkins Law Career Closet, located in the Micron Business

and Economics Building, and how these two resources support one another.

“The Atkins Law closet is fantastic and we’ve done a lot of partnership with them,” Carter said. “They provide a ton of great resources and it is all interview business professional type of attire so if you’re going to a conference and you need an outfit they are that resource for that. We’re the more casual kind of part.”

The closet offers volunteer hours through Engage.

“We currently have three-hour sessions every other Friday,” Carter said. “We’re looking at adding in more options that are shorter time blocks to meet more schedules. We have received so many donations, it’s been amazing.”

Carter emphasized that the organization attempts to cater to a wide variety of styles and body types.

“We want to see the biggest range of sizes and styles that we possibly can,” Carter said.

The closet also offers a fully online donation experience through their Amazon wishlist located on their website.

“When you don’t have to worry about basic core needs, you can focus on life,” Carter said. “You can focus on your classes, your homework and social engagements. [The campus closet is] removing that barrier of what am I going to wear and how am I going to afford what I’m going to wear, it’s a lot of mental labor.”

With so many ways to donate and an expanding inventory, the campus closet is an incredibly positive new addition to Boise State. Stop by the Gender Equity Center in the Student Union Building for your clothing needs.

Photograph of the campus closet located in the Gender Equity Center.

Photo by Niamh Brennan

SPORTS & REC

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

Finally a Win: Boise State Triumphs 42-18 over University of North Dakota Boise State wins its first 2023 season game in a powerful victory over University of North Dakota

Alec Simeone | Sports and Rec. Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

HBoise State takes down University of North Dakota (UND) 42-18 for their first win on the season.

Normally when a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team plays an Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team it’s a trap game, but this was a must-win game.

After the Broncos rocky and underwhelming start to their 2023 season, this game was going to be a deciding factor on many fronts. A loss would have impacted how the team views their coaching staff, depth chart and even their starting quarterback.

Dropping to 0-3 would have also been significant considering the Broncos were favored to win the Mountain West Conference at the beginning of the season.

“We will celebrate it today,” head coach Andy Avalos said. “We will because it’s hard, every victory needs to be celebrated. Thankfully we had our game right and so it gives us an opportunity to get organized and move forward.”

The day didn’t start without its challenges though.

Sixth year middle linebacker, DJ Schramm, was absent from the match. Schramm led the team in solo tackles (53) and total tackles (110) last year.

In his absence, redshirt sophomore, Marco Notarainni, stepped up to the plate, helping the Bronco defense hold the Fighting Hawks’ offense to just 183 total yards.

“DJ runs the defense, it’s pretty clear,” Notarainni said. “He runs the defense in communication … Everybody looks up to him. He’s obviously the captain of our team. Big step up for me, obviously … with the guys that were in, the guys

that stepped up, it was really cool to see a bunch of different guys being placed on the front seven back end, it’s really awesome.”

The defense also racked up six sacks this week, half of which came from a defensive line that was without one for the first two games.

In the second straight game without senior running back George Holani, the Broncos relied on sophomore running back Ashton Jeanty to carry the rock.

Jeanty had a solid game, notching 73 yards and three touchdowns.

True freshman running back, Jambres Dubar, accompanied Jeanty with a huge showing of 62 yards on just 10 carries.

Boise State’s passing attack had some highs and lows. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Taylen Green threw 62% (18-29), 188 yards, a touchdown and one interception off of a tipped pass.

That’s not the whole story however. Green threw two near missed picks that were dropped by UND defenders.

The Bronco offense gave up a season high of three turnovers to North Dakota, which they capitalized on for 12 points.

“We turned the ball over way too many times today,” Avalos said. “There’s plenty of things that we can clean up as we watch this game film. We talked about it, we’re going to do a better job at taking care of the ball.

Boise State has developed in other areas however.

Redshirt sophomore, Eric McAlister, is starting to look like Taylen’s No. 1 guy. He had six catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns against North Dakota, doubling his previous career high of 70 yards.

“Me and TG always talk like that Tex -

as connection but it’s always great to be his first read,” McAlister said. “Knowing today he was looking at me a lot more today, it felt great.”

It made sense for the Broncos to struggle offensively and defensively in their first two games of the season considering they had one of the hardest schedules to start the season, playing Washington and University of Central Florida.

However, Boise State should be operating at a much higher level against an FCS team. They performed well overall, but played very slow and safe.

The offense’s carelessness with the football seemed to spawn a slow, methodical style of play, with screen pass after screen pass to lul the defense to sleep.

Every now and then, Green would unload a deep shot. Then if the offense found themselves in the red zone, it was up to Jeanty and Dubar to hammer it into the end zone.

This strategy worked well, but was boring. They lacked explosive plays during the first quarter which ended with Boise State only being ahead by 7 points.

Offensive coordinator, Bush Hamdan, got creative in his playcalling near the red zone.

Three of the four drives that made it inside the 20 yard line featured Jeanty taking a direct snap in the wildcat formation. The lone outlier was Green’s lone interception that tipped off of sixth year tight end Riley Smith’s hands.

Hamdan took a field trip today in the first half, literally. He spent the first two quarters down on the field calling plays instead of in the sky box where he normally is.

“He started the first half off on the field called the game on the field,” Avalos said. “We wanted to get a feel for what it was like for him to be down there to be able to lead, to be able to get us in rhythm and keep us going early on in the game … We’re not afraid to make adjustments to whatever is best for the team … it was nice to have him down there.”

While the offense did look a bit better this week, hanging 42 on an FCS team is a bit different than on an FBS team. There are still big questions on the table regarding the offense’s ability to score, and score fast.

McAlister and Jeanty were the stars of the offense, but Green’s lack of offensive production for the team is concerning.

With this win, the Broncos now hold a 1-2 record as they enter into conference play against San Diego State in San Diego, California on Sept. 22.

Photo of the Boise State football team heading onto the field.

Photo by Taya Thornton

BUSTER’S WEEKLY ROUNDUP: What’s happening in Boise State Athletics (Sept. 11 - Sept. 17)

Marlei Soderquist | Sports & Rec. Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Here is what’s happening in Boise State Athletics…

VOLLEYBALL

Boise State volleyball hosted the Boise State Classic where the team went 2-1 over the weekend.

The Broncos faced Loyola Marymount University (LMU), South Dakota State University (SDSU) and University of Montana.

The Broncos only loss of the season was at the hands of LMU in a 3-0 set sweep.

Though the Broncos faced a tough loss to start the tournament, the game was close the whole match. The Broncos only lost by a small margin as the set scores ended as 25-21, 25-21 and 26-24.

“I thought we played really hard and had a good effort tonight,” said head coach Shawn Garus. “The result of a three-set loss doesn’t tell the whole story. I thought we had a lot of good contributions from many players.”

The team came back to sweep the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 3-0 (2517, 25-23, 25-17) on the second day of the Boise State Classic.

Boise State’s offense played incredibly well against the Jackrabbits on Sept.15 with the Broncos .304 hitting percent to SDSU’s .162 percent was the deciding factor of the match.

“I thought our energy carried over from a good tough match against LMU,” said Garus. “We came out really aggressive today and sustained it throughout. So, I’m really happy with the victory.”

To wrap up the Boise State Classic, the Broncos rallied from a set down to defeat Montana in 3-1.

“It was amazing to get this win,” said redshirt junior middle back Reagan Casey. “The team worked really hard today and grinded through the last three sets. The slide worked well for us today, with Annie [Kaminski, outside hitter] and myself popping out to the side and getting some good kills.”

The Broncos finished 2-1 for the weekend and improve to 4-6 overall on the year.

“I think the outside hitters have really grown a lot; we’ve worked on managing sets and learning about different situations,” said Garus. “Anabel (Kotzakov) is a true freshman, and Paige (Bartsch) has never really played outside. So, they’re learning how to limit their errors and pick their spots on when they’re going to be aggressive and when they’re going to be patient and be willing to win a rally. I love seeing the growth of those two.”

Mitchell was named the Mountain West Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 18, collecting her very

first MW Player of the Week honor in her career.

She led the team with a team-high combined 52 digs over the three matches in the Boise Open and averaged 5.2 digs per set.

SOCCER

The University of Oregon visited Boas Soccer Complex and battled the Broncos resulting in a 1-1 draw, which marks the ending of the Broncos non-conference play.

Junior forward, Carly Cross, has been a prominent player for the Broncos all season and continued her dominance with her fifth goal of the season.

The goal by Cross was assisted by goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw, which marked her first assist of her collegiate career and the first assist by a Bronco goalkeeper since 2009.

Though the goal by Cross was not enough to edge the Oregon Ducks, the two teams came to a 1-1 draw and the Broncos went undefeated by Pac-12 teams in the season and now sit with a 2-1-5 overall record.

“I’m both impressed and disappointed,” said head coach Jim Thomas. “I felt like we were the better team by a significant amount. To not come away with three points is frustrating but I can’t knock the way we went about it, and I’m

very proud of the fight that we showed.”

The Broncos will begin conference play at Colorado College on Sept. 21 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

MEN’S TENNIS

Boise State men’s tennis opened the season with the the Dar Walters Invite at the Appleton Tennis Sept. 15-17.

Two true freshmen, Kyvan Rietkerk and Liam Toroman combined for a 7-1 record in singles over the three-day competition.

Rietkerk went undefeated in singles, winning all four matches in straight sets and going 2-2 in doubles while playing with sophomore Idriss Haddouch.

Toroman went 3-1 in singles during the tournament and completely dominated the field as he only gave up three games on his way to impressive straightset victories. Toroman was paired with senior Teague Burger for doubles as they went 2-2 overall.

“We were excited to host this tournament with some talented collegiate tennis players,” said associate head coach Daniel Hangstefer. “It was a good tournament to open the season with, our guys competed extremely hard out there.”

FOOTBALL

The Broncos football team finally got their first win of the 2023 season against the University of North Dakota 42-19.

After starting the season 0-2, the Broncos will continue their hopes of returning to the Mountain West Conference championship game.

Though the Broncos offense seems to be progressing as the season goes on, it is clear there is still room for improvement.

The Broncos will kickoff conference play as they head to San Diego, California to face the San Diego State Aztecs on Sept. 22.

Graphic by Sasha White

From volleyball to soccer to men’s tennis, Bronco Sports performed well this week.

Wild Success: The Boise State Basketball 2023-24 season sneak peak

How the 2022-23 Bronco men’s basketball season will impact the upcoming season

Marlei Soderquist | Sports & Rec. Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

After an incredibly successful 2022-23 season for Boise State men’s basketball, the team is quickly reaping the benefits months after the season concluded.

Last season, the Broncos saw a major spike in overall attendance at Extra-Mile Arena and fans were as engaged as ever.

The Broncos averaged 9,000 fans each game and had one of the highest attended games with a little over 12,000 fans packing “The-X” (ExtraMile Arena).

Not only did the fans show up and show out for last season, but they are coming back for more.

Boise State sold most of their season ticket seats, and even had to open up the upper balcony levels in Extra-Mile Arena, or “Leon’s Landing”, for season ticket sales.

With season ticket sales starting at about $12 per game and over 500 new season tickets sold, about 97% of the seats in the mezzanine and lower levels will be sold for the 2023-24 season.

This incredible success is all thanks to their incredible run in the 2022-23 season.

The Broncos reached the NCAA March Madness Tournament for the second year in a row. Although the season ended in a loss in the NCAA tournament, as well as the Mountain West Tournament, there is no doubt that their season will be defined by their team’s energy and chemistry.

A team that was led by then senior guard Max Rice, fifth-year forward Naje Smith, fifth-year guard Marcus Shaver Jr. and sophomore forward Tyson Degenhart, seemed to be much more dominant and cohesive than many expected.

After coming off of an incredible 2021-22 season, winning the Mountain West Conference and going to the NCAA Tournament, the team was looking to continue their success and continue what they did.

In one of their last home games, the

Broncos had one of the most electric regular-season upsets and home game wins of all time.

The Broncos defeated No. 18 San Diego State, a team that later went on to compete in the National Championship title game, in what could very well be one of the best sporting events to ever take place in Boise.

The win was a pivotal moment for the team and program as a whole.

It was a win that showed people that they deserved the recognition, the praise and the notoriety.

It left many people to think, is Boise State a basketball school?

With the lackluster performance coming from Boise State’s other dominant athletic program — football — there is no doubt fans are eager for the start of basketball season to arrive.

Although the schedule has yet to be released for this upcoming season, the Boise State men’s basketball program is undoubtedly catching the eyes of Bronco fans.

The Broncos went undefeated at home last season and will look to continue that trend this season as well. With the increase in fan attendance, there is no doubt that the energy filling Extra-Mile will be even more electric than before.

If the energy was electric last season, just wait until this upcoming season.

The team will return three of its five starters with Rice, Degenhart and senior guard Chibuzo Agbo.

Though the team loses two of their former leaders, Shaver and Smith, the Broncos have new transfers and developing players that will play pivotal roles for this upcoming season.

The 2023-24 season for Boise State men’s basketball is right around the corner, and there is a lot for Bronco fans to be excited about.

Photo of men’s basketball player Jace Whiting. Photo by Taya Thornton

OUR BEST GUESS

THE ARBITER ALIGNS YOUR STARS

CAPRICORN

DEC 22 - JAN 19

YOUR HAPPY SECRET WILL REACH NEW AND WORTHY EARS.

AQUARIUS

JAN 20 - FEB 18

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS. MAKE SURE TO STAY STRAPPED WITH YOUR EMOTIONAL UMBRELLA.

PISCES

FEB 19 - MAR 20

YOU WILL MEET SOMEONE WHO WILL PRIORITIZE HELPING YOU WITH YOUR STRUGGLES.

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 19

CAPRICORNS ARE EXPOSING SECRETS. HIDE ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FROM THEM.

VIRGO AUG 23 - SEPT 22

SOMETIMES YOU STILL DO SOMETHING EMBARRASSING, BUT THE END ISN’T NEAR. BECAUSE YOU WILL FIND SOMEONE THAT WILL RUN HOME TO YOUR SWEET NOTHINGS AND BE THE BEST THING THAT’S EVER BEEN THEIRS.

TAURUS

APR 20 - MAY 20

THINGS DON’T ALWAYS PAN OUT. DON’T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUN 20

YOU’LL HAVE SO MANY IDEAS THAT EVEN YOUR THOUGHT BUBBLES WILL NEED THOUGHT BUBBLES.

CANCER

JUN 21 - JUL 22

YOU MIGHT CRY OVER SPILLED MILK, BUT DO NOT WORRY. YOU CAN FILL UP YOUR CEREAL BOWL WITH TEARS.

LEO

JUL 23 - AUG 22

WE ALL KNOW YOU ARE THE BEST, BUT LET YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS.

LIBRA

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

PLEASE STOP TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT HOW THINGS WERE “BACK IN YOUR DAY”. WE GET IT. YOU ARE OLD.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOV 21

YOU MIGHT BE ESPECIALLY CLUMS THIS WEEK. DON’T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR HELMET.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 22 - DEC 21

STOP PLAYING POWER WASH SIMULATOR AND START POWER WASHING IN REAL LIFE FOR MONEY.

ADAM

BRIDGES

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